One-Third of Obese Children Are Metabolically Healthy Obese (MHO)

In a study to determine prevalence of MHO in children, researchers found that one in three could be classified as MHO and that adiposity and lifestyle behavior may have important roles. Of the 181 children, 57 were found to be MHO-IR (31.5%), with waist circumference and dietary fat intake as independent predictors of MHO insulin resistance (IR). Also, 39 of 181 were MHO cardiometabolic risk (CR) (21.5%), with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity shown to be the strongest predictor of MHO-CR. Prince RL. Diabetes Care. 2014;doi:10.2337/dc13-1697.